Florida football’s Week 2 collapse against South Florida included an incident that went viral for all the wrong reasons.
Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Brendan Bett was ejected late in the fourth quarter for spitting on USF offensive lineman Cole Skinner, a penalty that handed the Bulls 15 yards before their game-winning field goal in the 18-16 upset at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
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Bett addressed the moment directly with a public apology via social media, saying he let down his teammates, coaches, family and all of Gator Nation.
“I want to sincerely apologize for my actions in the game this past Saturday…I made a terrible mistake and it won’t happen again,” Bett wrote, adding a personal message of apology to Skinner and his family.
Head coach Billy Napier called the act “unacceptable” in his postgame press conference but on Monday, the Gators’ skipper noted Bett’s remorse about his actions.
For Bett, who transferred from Baylor this spring, the moment overshadowed what had been an active performance on the field. He logged five tackles across 37 snaps against the Bulls.
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The 308-pound lineman was a standout at Ellison High School in Texas and emerged as one of Baylor’s most promising young defenders in 2023 before redshirting last fall. At Florida, he was expected to bring size and depth to the defensive front, already showing flashes through the first two games of 2025.
Now, Bett’s focus turns to regaining the trust of his coaches, teammates and fans. “That’s not the person or player I strive to be,” Bett wrote. “I take full responsibility…I won’t let you down again.”
The Gators head to Baton Rouge to face the LSU Tigers in Week 3, with discipline and composure becoming a focal point after a mistake-filled game last Saturday.
For Bett, the road back starts with accountability and proving that one penalty won’t define his Florida career.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football DL Brendan Bett apologizes after ejection vs. USF
